The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Air Force

  • Air Force strikes Boko Haram terrorists in Borno

    The Nigerian Air Force Monday said scores of Boko Haram insurgents have been neutralized by the Air Task Force of operations Lafiya Dole in their hideout in Kolloram, northern Borno, Borno State.

    A statement by the spokesman of the Air Force, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, said the clearance operations against the terrorists were conducted after intelligence reports indicated their presence in the area.

    Air Commodore Daramola said: “The Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has neutralized several Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters as they assembled for a meeting at their hideout in Kolloram on the fringes of Lake Chad in the Northern part of Borno State.

    “The operation was conducted on 24 February 2019 following credible intelligence reports indicating that some of the ISWAP leaders and fighter had assembled for a meeting in a group of buildings at the centre of the settlement.

    “A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform, which was deployed for confirmatory surveillance, observed the presence of the terrorists at the location and subsequently called for 2 Alpha Jet aircraft to attack the group of buildings.

    “Bombs from the first Aplha Jet hit the desired mean point of impact causing damage to the building and neutralizing some of the terrorists.

    “‘Some of the surviving fighters, who formed the outer security cordon of the meeting venue, were seen engaging the NAF aircraft with Anti-Aircraft (AA) and small arms fire.

    “The attack aircraft continued to engage the target area with bombs and rockets in several passes, mopping-up the terrorists who survived the initial strikes.

    “The NAF, operating in concert with surface forces, will sustain its efforts to completely destroy all remnants of the terrorists in the Northeast.”

  • Air Force strikes Boko Haram camps in northern Borno

    The Nigerian Air Force said Saturday that it has conducted air strikes on Boko Haram terrorists Camp at Zanari in northern part of Borno State.

    Its spokesman, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola said in a statement that scores of insurgents were killed during the strikes.

    He added that the attacks on the terrorists were carried out after intelligence reports have indicated their presence in the area.

    Air Commodore Daramola said: “The Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has destroyed an Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists’ camp at Zanari in the northern part of Borno State.

    “This was achieved on 20 February 2019 in air strikes conducted sequel to intelligence reports indicating that the terrorists were using the settlement as a staging area from where they launch attacks against own ground troops’ locations.

    Read also: Etiebet decries violence at Oruk Anam

    “A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform, which was subsequently detailed for confirmatory surveillance over the area, observed considerable terrorist activities in the settlement and therefore called for the scrambling of 2 Alpha Jet aircraft to attack the camp in successive strikes resulting in the destruction of several structures as well as the neutralization of their ISWAP occupants.

    ” The NAF, operating in concert with surface forces, will sustain its efforts to completely destroy all remnants of the terrorists in the Northeast. “

  • PDP urges court to void Buhari’s directive on ballot box snatchers

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has asked the Federal High Court to, among others declare illegal the directive by President Muhammadu Buhari to security agencies to deal ruthlessly with ballot box snatchers.

    The request is contained in a suit it filed on February 21 this year.

    The suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/225/2019 has the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the National Assembly, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), All Progressives Congress (APC), Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Police Force and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) as defendants.

    It is the plaintiff’s contention that the directive was illegal and beyond the powers of the President.

    The party also argued the President lacked the powers to deploy the military for electoral purposes. And that any deployment of the military must be with the prior approval of the National Assembly.

    Read also: Soldiers intercept bus load of thugs

    The plaintiff wants the court to declare that the President “lacks the powers to deploy the 5th to 7th defendant (Army, Air Force and Navy) to participate in the 20019 general elections without the prior express approval of the 2nd defendant (National Assembly). And that such deployment in the absence of the 2nd defendant’s approval, is illegal and unconstitutional.

    It seeks orders of perpetual injunctions against the Army, Navy, Air Force and Police from given effect to the said directive by the President.

    The PDP also wants a perpetual injunction restraining the President from deploying the armed forces and their officials to participate in the general election.

    It is also praying the court to restrain the 5th to 7th defendant (the armed forces) and their officials “from participating and or playing any role whatsoever” in the general election without the aproval of the National Assembly.

    Also, the PDP has applied to the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for leave to apply for an order of mandamus to compel the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), the Minister of the FCT and the APC to pull down the gigantic brooms which they erected in some parts of the city as part of the party’s campaign strategies.

    The PDP, in an ex-parte motion, marked: M/3476/2019, argued that the giant brooms were illegally erected at the City Gate, and other parts of the city.

    Both cases are yet to be assigned for hearing.

  • Air Force kills scores of Boko Haram fighters in Borno

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has said it destroyed Boko Haram terrorists’ camp and neutralised some of its fighters at Arboko village in Borno State.

    In a statement yesterday in Abuja, the nation’s capital, the NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola said the air strikes were launched after an intelligence platform established the presence of the terrorists in the area.

    He said: “The Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation Lafiya Dole has decimated a Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) camp and neutralised some of their fighters at a settlement called Arboko in Borno State.

    Read also: I’ll drive to campaign without bulletproof, Shettima dares Boko Haram

    “The operation was conducted on February 18 while a NAF Alpha jet and an Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform were providing close air support to troops of 82 Brigade, Nigerian Army.

    “In the course of the operation, the ISR aircraft spotted a group of BHT fighters within Arboko village and vectored the Alpha jet to engage their camp with rocket fire, thereby degrading the terrorists’ structures and neutralising some of their fighters.

    “The NAF, operating in concert with surface forces, will sustain its efforts to completely destroy all remnants of the terrorists in the Northeast.”

  • Air Force begins airlift of election materials

    THE Air Force said yesterday that it has started the airlift of election materials for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    A statement signed by the NAF Director of Public Relations and Information,  Air commodore Ibikunle Daramola, said the airlift would be conducted day and night to deliver sensitive and non-sensitive materials to designated places.

    Air Commodore Daramola said: “The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), yesterday, February 11, 2019, commenced the airlift of electoral materials for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) across the country for the conduct of the 2019 general elections.

    “The airlift exercise includes day and night missions, during which both sensitive and non-sensitive electoral materials were conveyed in batches, with NAF C-130 Hercules aircraft from the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja to various airports across the country.

    “The materials were duly delivered by the C-130H aircraft crew to teams of INEC and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) officials together with security personnel waiting at the various airports.

    “It may be recalled that the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, during his meeting with Air Officers Commanding (AOCs) and NAF Field Commanders on  February 1, 2019, had expressed the readiness of the NAF to avail INEC its transport aircraft to enable expeditious movement of electoral materials, as done in the past.”

  • Air Force acquires 22 aircraft to fight Boko Haram, other crimes

    CHIEF of the Air Staff Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar said yesterday that 22 aircraft have been added into the inventory of Air Force to support on-going military operations across the country, particularly the fight against Boko Haram terrorists.

    Air Marshal Abubakar said as at July 2015, the aircraft serviceability status of the Air Force was below 60 per cent.

    He added that as at date, the aircraft serviceability status has improved beyond 80 per cent.

    Abubakar spoke while opening the NAF Finance Training Workshop with the theme: “Strengthening the NAF Finance specialty for efficient service delivery in support of NAF operations”, at the NAF Headquarters, Abuja.

    The Air chief, who was represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Air Vice Marshal M. A. Mohammed, said the NAF has been able to deploy its platforms in support of military operations through prudent management of resources.

    He added that the Air Force was striving to improve on its present status and has complied with measures put in place by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to ensure transparency and accountability in governance.

    “In line with the anti-corruption drive of Mr. President, the Air Force has complied with measures put in place by the Federal Government to aide transparency in government’s financial transactions such as the Treasury Single Account, Government Integrated Financial Management Information System as well as the ongoing biometric data capture for the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System, just to mention a few,” Air Marshal Abubakar said.

    He added: “The recent feats achieved by the Service cost a lot of money. For the government to continue providing the necessary funds to support Nigerian Air Force operations, it behooves on you to continue to maintain high level of integrity as finance personnel in the management of these public funds.

    “It is pertinent to state that despite a decline in governmental allocation, the Nigerian Air Force alongside sister Services have been able to achieve commendable successes in counter-insurgency and the fight against armed banditry plaguing various regions of the country.

    “The Air Force has been able to effectively deploy its platforms to these areas in support of sister Services. This much was achieved through prudent management of resources allocated to the Service and strict compliance with procurement laws.”

    Accountant-General of the Federation Ahmed Idris, in his remarks, said deficit financing of the nation’s budgets over the years have remained a challenge in tackling various commitments of government.

  • Air Force acquires 22 Aircraft to fight Boko Haram, others

    The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar Wednesday said a total of 22 aircraft were recently added into the inventory of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to support various on-going military operations across the country, particularly the fight against Boko Haram Terrorists.

    According to Abubakar, as at July 2015, the aircraft serviceability status of the Nigerian Air Force was below 60 percent, but as at date, the aircraft serviceability status has improved beyond 80 percent.

    Abubakar made the remarks while declaring open the NAF Finance Training Workshop with the theme “Strenghtening the NAF Finance Specialty for Efficient Service Delivery in Support of NAF Operations”, at the NAF Headquarters, Abuja.

    The Air Chief who was represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Air Vice Marshal M A Mohammed said the NAF has been able to deploy its platforms in support of military operations through prudent management of resources.

    He added that the NAF was not only striving to improve on the present status, but has complied with measures put in place by the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure transparency and accountability in governance.

    “In line with the anti-corruption drive of Mr. President, Commander-in-Chief, the Nigerian Air Force has complied with measures put in place by the Federal Government to aide transparency in government’s financial transactions such as the Treasury Single Account, Government Integrated Financial Management Information System, as well as the ongoing biometric data capture for the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System, just to mention a few”, Air Marshal Abubakar stated.

    Read Also: Air Force strikes Boko Haram in northern Borno

    He further said: “The recent feats achieved by the Service cost a lot of money. For the Government to continue providing the necessary funds to support Nigerian Air Force operations, it behoves on you to continue to maintain high level of integrity as finance personnel in the management of these public funds.

    “It is pertinent to state that despite a decline in governmental allocation, the Nigerian Air Force alongside sister Services have been able to achieve commendable successes in counterinsurgency and the fight against armed banditry plaguing various regions of the Country.

    “The Nigerian Air Force has been able to effectively deploy its platforms to these areas in support of sister Services. This much was achieved through prudent management of resources allocated to the Service and strict compliance with procurement laws”

    In his remarks at the event, the Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, said deficit financing of the nation’s budgets over the years have remained a challenge in tackling various commitments of government, stressing that five major countries of the world that topped security and military spending have continued to increase their budgets for security and military because of increasing security challenges.

    Malam Idris who was represented by Alhaji Mohammed K Usman said: “It is a known fact that in recent years, our nation is faced with obvious security challenges that, if not because of the tenacity of the Government, the situation would have been so unnerving and overwhelming especially if one weigh in paucity of funds and our other politico-economic challenges.

    “If the situation is juxtaposed against other contending sectors yearning for attention in terms of provision of social services and infrastructure, then the monster in the challenge of security funding cannot be more unveiled. The Nation must therefore deeply think and come up with appropriate funding template that would provide stability towards the delicate balancing of national priorities.

    “Our national Appropriation had been majorly deficit- budgeted for so many years now. This simply means that the revenue projections were lower than the projected expenditure; therefore Government had to depend on borrowings in order to, substantially part-finance the annual Appropriation over the years.“

  • Crashed helicopter not our own, says Air Force

    THE Air Force clarified yesterday that the helicopter conveying Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to Kabba, Kogi State, which crashed on Saturday was not its own.

    In a statement issued by its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, the NAF dismissed social media information alleging that the crashed helicopter is one among its fleet.

    Daramola’s statement reads: “The attention of the NAF has been drawn to various reports in the media purporting that the Augusta AW139 Helicopter, which was involved in a mishap in Kabba, Kogi State yesterday, February 2, 2019, while conveying the Vice President, belonged to the NAF or was from the 011 Presidential Air Fleet (011 PAF).

    “Some unscrupulous/undiscerning individuals have even gone so far as to circulate a video showing the crash landing of a military helicopter, from an unrelated incident, which neither occurred in Nigeria nor involved NAF or 011 PAF aircraft, portraying it as the one that crashed in Kabba.”

    Daramola said the helicopter that crashed in Kabba does not belong to the NAF or 011 PAF.

    “The owners/operators of the civilian helicopter, Messrs Caverton Helicopters, have already issued a statement on the matter.

    “In addition, the military Dauphin Helicopter, painted in desert camouflage colour, seen in the video circulating on social media does not belong to the NAF and should not be misrepresented as belonging to the NAF.

    “Accordingly, the general public is advised to disregard such erroneous information and the misleading video.

    “The NAF joins the nation in thanking God for sparing the life of our vice president as well as other passengers and crew members involved in the mishap. We pray for the safety of the Vice President and that all his take-offs will culminate in an equal number of safe landings,” he said.

    But, the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi, Telu I, described the averted chopper mishap as a grace of God.

    He said Osinbajo is a man enjoying the divine grace because of his a clean heart and passion for the survival of a peaceful and united Nigeria.

    In a statement by his press secretary, Mr. Alli Ibrahim, the Oluwo, who said only those serving with pure mind escape incidents of such magnitude, prayed for the vice president that he would “continue to enjoy God’s favour in all fronts as he discharges his duties to the nation”.

    Describing Osinbajo as an asset and factor in Nigeria, the first class traditional ruler prayed that he would live long to render more service to the nation and humanity.

    He said: “I pray for God’s continued mercies on you and your aides. No evil shall befall you because you have a clean heart to support survival of a peaceful and united Nigeria. God will preserve your dear live to render more service to this great nation.

    “I am using the opportunity of my position as the representative of the almighty God on earth to arrest and re-direct all calamities on your way becaus you are His beloved.”

  • Crashed helicopter not our own – Air Force

    The Nigerian Air Force said on Sunday that the crashed helicopter conveying Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to Kabba, Kogi State, was not its own.

    The NAF in a statement signed by its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola dismissed social media information alleging that the crashed helicopter is one among its fleet.

    Air Commodore Daramola statement reads :”The attention of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has been drawn to various reports in the media purporting that the Augusta AW139 Helicopter, which was involved in a mishap in Kabba, Kogi State yesterday, 2 February 2019, while conveying the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, belonged to the NAF or was from the 011 Presidential Air Fleet (011 PAF).

    ” Some unscrupulous/undiscerning individuals have even gone so far as to circulate a video showing the crash landing of a military helicopter, from an unrelated incident, which neither occured in Nigeria nor involved NAF or 011 PAF aircraft, portraying it as the one that crashed in Kabba.

    ”  The NAF wishes to state categorically that the helicopter that crashed in Kabba does not belong to the NAF or 011 PAF.

    ” The owners/operators of the civilian helicopter, Messrs Caverton Helicopters, have already issued a statement on the matter.

    ” In addition, the military Dauphin Helicopter, painted in desert camouflage colour, seen in the video circulating on social media does not belong to the NAF and should not be misrepresented as belonging to the NAF.

    ” Accordingly, the general public is advised to disregard such erroneous information and the misleading video.

    “The NAF joins the Nation in thanking God for sparing the life of our Vice President as well as other passengers and crew members involved in the mishap. We pray for the safety of the Vice President and that all his take-offs will culminate in an equal number of safe landings. “

  • Air Force strikes Boko Haram in Borno

    • Army confirms loss of personnel, equipment in Yobe attacks

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said yesterday that scores of Boko Haram insurgents have been neutralised in their hideouts in northern Borno.

    The spokesman of the Air Force, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, said in a statement that air strikes were conducted against the insurgents following credible intelligence reports establishing their presence in the area.

    This is even as the Army yesterday confirmed loss of personnel, equipment in Yobe Boko Haram attacks

    Air Commodore Daramola said about yesterday’s strikes on Boko Haram hideouts: “The Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has destroyed a terrorists’ hideout and neutralised some terrorists at Kaicungul, a settlement about 100Km Northwest of Monguno, in Northern Borno State.

    “The operation was conducted yesterday, 25 January 2019, on the heels of credible intelligence indicating that the village was being used as a staging area from where the terrorists assemble to launch attacks against own troops’ locations.

    “The ATF therefore detailed an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform for confirmatory surveillance of the location, which observed significant terrorists’ activities in the settlement.

    “Accordingly, 2 Alpha Jet aircraft were scrambled to attack the hideout. The 2 aircraft took turns in attacking the location, recording successful hits on the target leading to the destruction of some of the structures as well as the neutralisation of some terrorists.”

    In a related development, the Nigerian Army yesterday confirmed that it lost vehicles, personnel and equipment to the recent Boko Haram terrorist attacks in Geidam, Yobe State.

    It however asserted that troops of 159 Battalion responded to the attacks with a show of gallantry leading to the routing of the insurgents in the area.

    A statement by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations in charge of Sector Two, Lt. Njoka Irabor, said the insurgents took advantage of the market day in Geidam to loot foodstuffs.

    Lt. Irabor said the troops handled the situation with professional acumen to prevent civilian casualties for which they were commended by the Acting Commander of the sector, Brig General Mohammed Dala.

    Lt. Irabor said: “Troops of 159 Battalion deployed in Sector 2 of Operation LAFIYA DOLE in Geidam, Yobe State, have been lauded for their display of gallantry at containing Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT), who infiltrated the serene town of  Geidam on Wednesday, 23rd  January 2019, at about 5:30pm, shooting sporadically, thereby creating panic and causing unnecessary apprehension.

    ” The Acting Commander Sector 2, Operation LAFIYA DOLE, Brigadier General Mohammed Dala, gave the commendation today, during an on the spot assessment visit to Geidam.

    “He commended the troops for their gallantry and deliberate effort in protecting the civil populace in the town, particularly at the Geidam market and directed the immediate replenishment of the troops’ supplies, assuring them that issues of their welfare will always be a top priority.

    “The Sector Commander seized the opportunity to pay a visit to the Emir of Geidam and afterwards had a meeting with officials of other security agencies, where he sued for their cooperation and synergy in sharing timely information that would enhance the pro-activeness of troops.”